About two months ago, I posted signs for our baby ball pythons that are for sale in the local pet shop. Each time I buy rodents, I check the sign to see if any of my phone number tags are missing. There are many missing, but no one has called. Saturday, the owner calls me and asks if we still have any left. Heck yes! And as much as I like watching them, they have to go (hubby has a line on an Apalachicola Kingsnake and we need the space, lol).

Of course we're wondering if this is an experienced keeper or a newbie to the hobby. When he calls me, he asks a few questions and I quickly realize he's never owned a snake in his life, and doesn't know anything about them. So while he's there and along with help from the shop owner, we tell him of the basic things he'll need to start.

He shows up at the house all excited, his wife in tow (who's not in the least excited). He's like a five year old at Christmas. He walks into our 'snake room' and stares in wonder. He has loads of questions, some which are silly, but he doesn't know and at least he's asking questions. We answer everything to the best of our ability. We discuss everything he needs to know to keep the snake happy and healthy. He shows me everything he's bought and he's forked out almost $100 for a snake he's paying $25 for. That makes me feel a bit relieved, this isn't just an impulse buy. He's had to fork out a good bit of money.

He's almost jumping up and down for joy, and is holding the snake and loves every minute of it. His wife stands in the back ground, listening, but having no interest in participating. I told her, it will take time, that it did for me.

When they were leaving, I gave them our phone numbers again, and the phone number for our herp vet. I told him any questions, feel free to call me. Just before they leave, his wife asks me, "Are you a teacher?" I hate to say it, but I give her a funny look and tell her no, not even close. "Oh," she says, "maybe that's something you should look in to." I will admit, it made me feel good, to know they thought I was quite knowledgeable on the subject of snakes, but to anyone that knows nothing about them, I do seem to know a lot. There is something new to learn about our reptile friends everyday; even if I keep for another ten years, I still won't claim to be an expert. But I'll keep trying.